MOBILE, Ala. - SIUE softball waited 355 days between games, and once play restarted the Cougars would go extra innings twice.

Both of the contests, which totaled 18 innings on day one, didn't go the way of the Cougars. SIUE fell to Northwestern State 3-0 in eight innings and Middle Tennessee State 7-6 in 10.

"We have a ways to go, but we made a lot of progress," said SIUE Head Coach Jessica Jones. "It is a good starting point."

The Cougars have two more games tomorrow at the South Alabama Tournament. SIUE faces Missouri at 3:45 p.m. and host South Alabama at 6 p.m. The tournament closes out Sunday with a rematch against Northwestern State.

"I thought they did well today," noted Jones. "We faced some adversity in both games after going a year without playing so I'm extremely proud of them and their fight."

Emily Ingles threw seven shutout innings against Northwestern State, but the Demons tallied three in the top of the eighth to pull out the victory.

"Emily threw a great game. We just didn't put a run on the board," said Jones. "She had a good fight first game. She is going to have a good year."

Jensen Howell earned the win for Northwestern State, striking out nine in eight innings.

SIUE's offense picked up in game two with 17 hits, including three from freshman Ava Bieneman. Six other players (Alana Cobb-Adams, Lexi King, Zoe Schafer, Amber Storer, Mia Haynes and Micah Arps) had two hits.

"Micah picked it up in the second game," said Jones. "I was extremely proud of the adjustments she made from the first game to the second game.

"Amber caught three fly balls. She was a rock today behind the plate. She had a great presence at the plate offensively."

SIUE freshman Sydney Baalman took the loss in game two.

"She was put in couple of tough situations at the end of both games," Jones said. "She did a good job. Being a freshman, I think she has a bright future."